PlainPill

Milk of Magnesia

Based on 3 first-hand reports and 9 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #3307 of 4,149 overall.

6
User score
Not enough data
0% positive0% mixed0% negative100% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 0% are positive.

Clinical research
BModerate research base
9
meta-analyses
9
RCTs
67
papers

What Milk of Magnesia does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

No specific effects reported yet.
betterno changeworse

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

BModerate research base

At least one meta-analysis, or 5+ randomized controlled trials. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

Rev Esp Enferm Dig · 2016 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Use of polyethylene glycol in functional constipation and fecal impaction

Conclusion: Polyethylene glycol with or without electrolytes is more efficacious than placebo for the treatment of functional constipation, either in adults or in pediatric patients, with great safety and tolerability. These preparations constitute the most efficacious osmotic laxatives (more than lactulose) and are the first-line treatment for functional constipation in the short and long-term. They are as efficacious as enemas in fecal impaction, avoid the need for hospital admission and are well tolerated by patients (mainly when administered without electrolytes).

PubMed 27871178 ↗
Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2016 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Osmotic and stimulant laxatives for the management of childhood constipation

Conclusion: The pooled analyses suggest that PEG preparations may be superior to placebo, lactulose and milk of magnesia for childhood constipation. GRADE analyses indicated that the overall quality of the evidence for the primary outcome (number of stools per week) was low or very low due to sparse data, inconsistency (heterogeneity), and high risk of bias in the studies in the pooled analyses. Thus, the results of the pooled analyses should be interpreted with caution because of quality and methodological concerns, as well as clinical heterogeneity, and short follow-up. There is also evidence suggesting

PubMed 27531591 ↗
Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2012 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Osmotic and stimulant laxatives for the management of childhood constipation

Conclusion: The pooled analyses suggest that PEG preparations may be superior to placebo, lactulose and milk of magnesia for childhood constipation. GRADE analyses indicated that the overall quality of the evidence for the primary outcome (number of stools per week) was low or very low due to sparse data, inconsistency (heterogeneity), and high risk of bias in the studies in the pooled analyses. Thus, the results of the pooled analyses should be interpreted with caution because of quality and methodological concerns, as well as clinical heterogeneity, and short follow up. However, PEG appears safe and wel

PubMed 22786523 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

small doseas reported

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

stomach issues ×1

What users say

First-hand experiences, quoted verbatim. We show one positive and one negative where both exist.

More medications

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 3, 2026. How we rate